Automatic catch for garage doors



Jan. 18, 1927. 1,614,868

F. M. BROWN AUTOMATIC CATCHFOR GARAGE DQORS Filed July 2 19 5 PatentedJan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,614,868 PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK M. BROWN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC CATCH FOR GARAGE DOORS.

Application filed July 2,

This invention relates to door catches, and has for one of its objectsthe provision of a novel, simple and inexpensive device of thischaracter especially adapted for use in connection with a garage doorand adapted to automatically engage the door when it reaches its fullyopened posit-ion for the purpose of holding it in such position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a door catch ofthe character stated which may be readily secured in place for use andwhich shall be capable of withstanding rough usage.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangementof parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a door catch constructed inaccordance with my invention, the same being illustrated in the act ofholding a garage door in opened position;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the parts shown in Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the catch.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription, and designated in the several views of the accompanyingdrawing, by similar reference characters.

In the drawing 1 designates a garage door and 2 the bottom cleatthereof.

In accordance with my invention a post 3 is driven into the groundadjacent the free edge of the door 1 when the latter is in openedposition, and to this post is pivotally secured the catch which isdesignated in its entirety by the numeral 1. The catch 4 comprises abolt 5 which is secured by a pivot 6 to one side of the post 3. The bolt5 projects forwardly beyond the front side of the post 3 and is providedat its forward end with an upwardly extending retaining head 7 having avertical inner end 8 and a downwardly and forwardly inclined upper side9. A weight 10 extends upwardly from the inner ent of the bolt 5, and isof substan tially sector formation in contour. The pivot 6 passesthrough the weight 10, and the latter is provided with an arcuate slot11 arranged concentrically with relation to the pivot 6. A screw 12 orthe equivalent thereof is carried by the post 3 and passes through theslot 11, and is adapted to limit the upward swing of the bolt 5 underthe influence 1925. Serial No. 41,164.

of. the weight 10. A screw 13 or the equivalent thereof is carried bythe post 3 and passes through the slot 11 and is adapted to limit thedownward movement of the bolt 5 when the door 1, during the movementthereof from closed to opened position, con tacts with and rides overthe inclined side 9 of the head '7 and when the bolt is depressed torelease the door.

The weight 10 normally holds the bolt 5 in a horizontal position, andwhenthe bolt is in this position the upper end wall of the slot 11contacts with the element 12 and the lower end wall of the slot isspaced downwardly from the element 13. It will thus be seen that duringthe movement of the door 1 into opened position, the bolt 5 is adaptedto be depressed to permit the door to pass rearwardly beyond the head 7.lVhen the door reaches this position the weight 10 returns the bolt 5 toand holds it in normal position, with the result that the door isengaged and will be held opened until released. To release the door 1 itis only necessary to depress the bolt 5 far enough to carry the head 7below the lower edge of the door, and this may be done by placing thefoot upon the inclined side 9 of the head 7 and exerting a downwardpressure thereon.

In order to insure the prompt return of the bolt 5 to normal positionafter it has been depressed by the door 1, the weight 10 is providedwith an impact end 14 which is formed by cutting away a portion of thefront edge of. the weight as indicated at 15. The door 1 contacts withthe impact end 14 immediately after passing the head 7 and due theretoan upward swinging movement is imparted to the bolt 5.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, it should be apparent that the catch is positiveand quick of action, that it will automatically engage and retain thedoor in opened position, and that it may be readily moved intodoor-releasing position when it is desired to close the door.

While I have described the principle of operation of the invent-ion,together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodimentthereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merelyillustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as arewithin the scope of the invention as claimed.

hat is claimed is:

An automatic door catch comprising, in combination with a support, astraight bolt pivoted to the support and provided at its forward endwithannipw'ardlyextending retaining head having a downwardly andforwardly inclined upper side, a weight carried by and extendingupwardly from the rearward end of the bolt and provided with an arcuateslot concentric to the pivot of the carried 'by'the support and passingthrough said slot of the weight. 7

In testimony whereof I afi'ix my signature.

FREDERICK M. BROWN.

